Moving On

What happens after you finish this book? Simple: You go to work!

We present a ton of techniques throughout the book, and it is your decision whether to use them, modify them to your way of doing things, or simply say "That isn't the way I would do it!" and then discover a better way of doing it. That's the dynamic site development process.

We aren't so arrogant as to assume we provide the definitive word on the use of Macromedia Studio MX 2004 production tools. The day of the web guru who knows it all ended a few years ago. This business is complex, and you will be relying on a team of experts formed from in-house resources or independent contractors. These teams will bring their very focused skills to bear on an aspect of a project and then disband upon the project's completion.

Yet, as you will discover, much of what we present can benefit your workflow in ways you may not have considered .

The process doesn't stop with this book. There are any number of sites, tutorials, and discussion lists on the web that are designed to answer the "How do I " questions you will inevitably encounter. We have included a number of our favorites on the book's web site.

You might also consider getting involved with your local Macromedia User Group (MMUG). These are invaluable opportunities for you to meet with your fellow developers to swap techniques, share war stories, or simply network. In Toronto, the local user group (http://www.FlashinTO.com), which is the largest MMUG in North America, meets on the last Wednesday of every month at the Mockingbird. If you wish to discover if there is an MMUG in your area, visit the Macromedia site (http://www.macromedia.com/cfusion/usergroups/ ) to see if there is a group near you. If there isn't, Macromedia will help you start one.

There are also a number of national and international conferences that focus on the use of the tools and provide you with an opportunity to meet some of the hottest developers on the planet. Macromedia's User Conference, MAX2003, is the annual "Big One." Others we suggest you seriously consider are TODCONThe Other Dreamweaver Conferenceor MXNorth, both of which are run by Ray West out of Florida. Both are rapidly becoming important forums for Macromedia Web Developers from around the world. If Flash is your focus, consider FlashForward, which annually runs three conferences in San Francisco, New York, and Europe, or FlashintheCan, the annual Canadian conference.

Online discussion forums are also an invaluable source of information, tips and techniques, which are freely shared by some of the top minds in the business. In many cases, these lists function as Level One Trauma Centers when you are facing a deadline or an irate client and something just isn't doing what it is supposed to do. They provide you the opportunity to state your problem (be specific and very detailed if something isn't working), post your link or code, and ask for immediate help. The advice you receive may be both direct and pointed, but it is also a lifesaver. Also, don't be terribly surprised if someone from Macromedia jumps in with a suggestion. A list of some of the more important groups is located on the book's web site.

Let's go to work.